Online Romance Leads Real Estate Investor to Sue Over Million-Dollar Miami Condo, Diamond Ring
The real estate investor filed lawsuits in New Jersey and Miami.
June 02, 2020 at 03:35 PM
4 minute read
A wealthy New Jersey real estate investor is embroiled in a nasty spat over a $1.45 million condo and a diamond engagement ring.
Jeremy Grunin showered Marcia Gomez with expensive gifts during the brief time they were dating each other, beyond just the apartment and the diamond ring, according to court pleadings.
Grunin is represented by Michael Kreitzer, a partner at Greenberg Traurig in Miami. In the complaint, Grunin asserted causes of action based upon alleged breach of implied in-law contract and unjust enrichment, and sought a declaratory judgment.
Grunin filed a separate lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth County, Chancery Division seeking the return of the $290,000 engagement ring he gave to Gomez. The Miami-Dade Circuit Court lawsuit concerns the $1.45 million Aria On The Bay condominium, which Gruin claimed was titled "as joint tenants with the right of survivorship" on the condition of the former couple's planned marriage.
|Based on appearance and wealth
In the complaint, Grunin alleged that he met Gomez through Millionaire Matchmaker, a service that matches wealthy women with wealthy men. Grunin was recently divorced and sought a partner to be his lifetime companion and soul mate, "not just a one-time or occasional sexual connection."
Eduardo I. Rasco, a partner at Rosenthal Rosenthal Rasco in Aventura, who is representing Gomez, said the pair met on a different website called Luxy. Current members on Luxy must ratify new members based on appearance and wealth. And soon after the pair met, Rasco alleged Grunin wanted assurance that Gomez knew just how wealthy he was.
"He insisted that she Google his name to see exactly who he is," Rasco said. "Within a week, he asked her to provide him with any debts she may have so he can satisfy them to prove his true love for her. She disclosed a hundred thousand dollar debt, which he promptly paid off."
The complaint stated that after a few dates, the pair fell in love with each other and began to talk about marriage. During this time, Rasco said that Grunin showered his client with "gift after gift, after gift, after gift, after gift."
Gomez discovered Grunin had an odd belief that the 27th day of each month was his lucky day, according to her attorney.
According to Gomez's pleadings, the former couple met in person on April 27. One month later, on May 27, Grunin gave Gomez a yellow diamond tennis bracelet and placed a down payment on a contract to purchase a $1.4 million condominium in Miami.
A month after that, on June 27, Grunin paid a deposit on the diamond in the amount of $290,000. Grunin and Gomez went on vacation to the Dominican Republic on July 27. A Cayman Islands vacation followed that on Aug. 27. Grunin proposed to Gomez on Sept. 27. And the ultimate breakup happened Nov. 27.
The complaint alleged the breakup happened because Grunin began to see Gomez had a "dark-side that was repugnant" to Grunin. At the same time, Rasco contended that the breakup occurred based on a disagreement over their engagement party and the size of the guest list. Rasco said Grunin wanted Gomez to be a "more willing and subservient participant."
Soon after the "termination of the engagement," Grunin claimed it was a joint agreement to end the engagement, while Gomez claims Grunin ended it. Grunin asked Gomez to return the engagement ring he bought her. Under New Jersey law, an engagement ring is a conditional gift that must be returned if the "condition" of marriage has not been fulfilled.
Grunin also asked that she transfer her interest in the Aria Apartment to Grunin because he is the "rightful owner" and made all the payments himself, according to the complaint. He filed the lawsuit, according to his pleadings, because Gomez has failed to comply with repeated requests for the delivery of a deed transferring title to the apartment solely to him.
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